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Trip Planning Forum

Best mapping software for a trip?

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Date/Time: 04/29/2024 09:00AM

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Best mapping software for a trip?

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Previous Messages:
Author	Message Text
geotramper	02/08/2021 07:53PM Wally13: "Geotramper, Would like to visit with you about how to export Google Earth files into Gaia. I would like to use Offline Gaia to view map plans I have for paddling the Mississippi River this summer. 2,300 miles is a long way and I like Google Earth and Gaia for my float plan. My email box is under my name. If you could email me that would be great. " For others who might be interested, this article does a much better job of explaining the various methods than I could: https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003639048-Import-GPX-and-KML-files-into-the-iOS-app
Wally13	02/08/2021 02:20PM Geotramper, Would like to visit with you about how to export Google Earth files into Gaia. I would like to use Offline Gaia to view map plans I have for paddling the Mississippi River this summer. 2,300 miles is a long way and I like Google Earth and Gaia for my float plan. My email box is under my name. If you could email me that would be great.
geotramper	02/08/2021 01:15PM Google Earth for desktop is free, fairly user friendly, and well-documented (a Google search will usually answer any questions I have). Google Earth makes it really easy to plot routes and get approximate distances, elevation profiles. There are file floating around for downloading things like BWCA campsite, portages, etc. See the GPS forum. You can load these in to Google Earth. I also really like Gaia, but only use it during my trips, not so much for planning. I find that the editing and organization interface isn't as easy to use. I do my planning in Google Earth and then export files and load them in Gaia.
schweady	02/08/2021 11:44AM On occasion, I'll do screenshots from Garmin BaseCamp. A nice app for keeping databases of my tracks, waypoints, and custom maps.
MacCamper	02/08/2021 08:32AM CalTopo is my go to when making laminated maps for expeditions. The detail is fantastic and key allows for specifics needed when traveling beyond the BWCA, free. Gaia is a good app too.
Wally13	02/08/2021 07:15AM +1 Navionics App on cellphone is the best fishing app showing contours. Also useful for finding your location without paper maps. Can set up maps of the area you will be paddling while you are online, so you can find your location while offline when you don’t get cell service. I also bring Fisher or McKenzie maps as backup and portage locations. Many hiking folks use GaIA App on their cell phones while in the BWCA. It’s a fantastic app with Topo but doesn’t have lake contours for fishing.
cyclones30	02/07/2021 09:34PM scottiebaldwin: "mcsweem: "Im pretty basic i just scan parts if them then i put my edits on them " This looks great! Exactly what I was thinking about! Which map is it that you scan? Yours looks awesome." Looks like maybe a Voyageur map? You used to be able to view them all online till adobe flash support went away at the end of 2020. So we'll see if they change their website at all. Otherwise their paper maps can be bought on this site as their otherwise hard to find at times
scottiebaldwin	02/07/2021 09:20PM mcsweem: "Im pretty basic i just scan parts if them then i put my edits on them " This looks great! Exactly what I was thinking about! Which map is it that you scan? Yours looks awesome.
scottiebaldwin	02/07/2021 09:18PM plander: "Navionics. GPS with contour depth maps. Edit. I know this isn’t getting directly at your question but this is an awesome app for your phone to use on a fishing trip. " I do have the Navionics map on my iPhone for fishing. It’s been a total game changer! Best $21 I’ve ever spent!
mcsweem	02/07/2021 08:41PM Im pretty basic i just scan parts if them then i put my edits on them
plander	02/07/2021 07:25PM Navionics. GPS with contour depth maps. Edit. I know this isn’t getting directly at your question but this is an awesome app for your phone to use on a fishing trip.
scottiebaldwin	02/07/2021 05:13PM I see some people on the forum that have very nice maps (or screen grabs) that they’ve made and I’m wondering if it is done on software or GPS and if so, how? Personally, I have the two Nat Geo maps of the BWCA for overall planning and I prefer Fisher maps while traveling, but being able to see a planned route without having to write on the maps is pretty cool. Any ideas? I’ll attach an image of an example. Thanks in advance!